Prestige Marketing, Inc Nikou Mohajerani Won't Pay Workers for Time Worked Sherman Oaks, California

I had an interview with Nikou about a month ago, and I totally blew her off, never even sent an apology email, until last week. You see, the reason I blew off the intereview was unrealted to Nikou or her business, it was because they had an association with Smart Circle and I had been burned by another company under the same brand.

In a strange coincidence my fiancee ended up working in an affiliated company (which happens to be under Nikou's perview) and he'd mentioned her so the name was familiar. Last week my fiancee decided to meddle in the issue where I got burned, and in turn got me so angry I fired off a pretty scathing e-mail directed at Nikou and the fact that another company had burned me so badly that she should be concerned about her reputation.

I recieved a response within 24 hours from Nikou herself. in fact, we spoke earlier today. we discussed my concerns, she had already escalated the issue and had set things in motion to make things right, even though she has nothing in common with the company that caused the issue except that they share a parent!

I had a poor idea about anything to do with the Smart Circle brand, it was a pretty horrible experience, and a pretty scathing e-mail, I was fired up. Nikou and I had a lovely conversation in which she told me she never knew of this other company but had escalated things and wanted to try to help make things right. I also spoke to Smart Circle (Nikou notified them immediately), and to be quite honest at this moment I regret not going to the interview, but I've started down a different line of work and i have responsibilities to uphold. 

I'd love to post my e-mail and tell you to contact me, but I get enough spam, so here's my advice, think.  Think about what the company has asked you, get things in writing, evaulate your position and how you feel before you share your opionion. Everyone has a different point-of-view in every situation, I didn't e-mail Nikou to get paid or to get back at the bad company, I e-mailed her because I had heard good things about her and my main concern was her business, I skipped my intereview, who knows how many others did too?  plus I was pissed that the owner of other company denied I even worked there, refused to pay me and argued with me to no end with little to no respect (hence the finacee call). 

These companies are constantly chainging their names, it's marketing and sales, it's the only growing market in the economy right now. You want a job? These companies are creating thousands of sales/entry level marketing positions every day. Yes, it does have a bit of a pyramid shape to it but technically don't all companies? Yes you have to work hard for crappy pay to start with future promises, isn't that what most sales/entry level marketing jobs are? Did the company not keep it's promise? Is it in writing? Did you treat them fairly and did they treat you fairly? hold yourself accountable too, I did and hopefully it will stop people from going through what I dealt with.

Don't let one bad apple ruin things for the rest of the barrel, I did, and my tainted view may have cost me a great opportunity, but not to be too cliche, everything happens for a reason. I will keep Nikou and her current company in mind for the future, and I hope my fiancee achieves success with her and her affiliates. Do your homework, think before your speak and if you think something is wrong it probably is. My experience may be abnormal but I think the complaint made here is far too generalized, but invite you to judge for yourself. 

To All Viewers:

Beware of employee/former employee comments on this subject.  They will try to put a good spin on the company and make it not as bad as it sounds.  If you are getting alot of complaints on such as "questionable companies" and there are postings from employees/former employees that are trying to a good face on the company.  It just shows that it is just a feeble attempt to make a bad situation llok good.

Jessica:
Nice try but you work there and this is just propoganda, you are doing this because you are being told too.

Unknown

First and foremost, I worked for this company for almost a year and this report seems to be that of an angry former employee trying to tarnish this company's reputation. Although I no longer work with Prestige, I left at my own will and on good terms. Never did I have to pay to be there or recruit my friends and family...which, by the way, is the definition of a pyramid scheme. What I find amusing is the company specializes in in-store promotions and retail-based marketing, yet this post says they do door-to-door???  Interesting...in the time that I was there I never once went door-to-door.

All employees must fill out detailed timesheets.  Paperwork is completed on a new hire's first day during orientation.  The managers recommend you take paperwork home to review with your attorney and accountant and bring it back with any questions during the review.  The Home Depot and all major retailers have secret shoppers that are in charge of quality control.  When I worked in the restaurant industry as a teenager we were always secret shopped as well.  Any business dealing with a major brand name will secret shop it's workers for a quality control standpoint.  I don't see why this person was so upset about that...unless they were terminated for being caught committing the fraud? (ie. submitting fake customer information for pay above their minimum guarantee).

 I never worked over my eight hours a day, nor was I ever forced to.  I was paid for all my work, including the overtime hours I put in at time and a half.  The owner even gave me a $200 bonus once to show their appreciation for my hard work. In conclusion, I doubt companies like The Home Depot would work with a scam company or pyramid scheme.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I respect that.  The advice I give to everyone is to collect their information and make an informed decision.  

As a graduate school student, I wouldn't consider myself a "dumb worker".  I'm sorry to the author for being so upset, and know how it feels to leave a company on bad terms.

If anyone has any other questions please feel free to e-mail me. Put Prestige In-store Marketing as the subject and I will gladly respond. 

messiejessie86@yahoo.com